Elections have consequences. The defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris which will see the return of former President Donald Trump to the White House now poses a significant threat to the fight against climate change, particularly for Barbados and other small island developing states (SIDS).
As the COP29 climate summit unfolds in Baku, this political shift underscores the urgent need for a refocused response from Caribbean nations that are about to lose a significant ally in the fight against the climate crisis and in the cause of sustainable economic and human development.
Trump’s election will now surely end a series of initiatives championed by Vice President Harris in the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030, intended to bolster our climate resilience and energy security.
Recognising the unique challenges the Caribbean faces, including rising sea levels and increased hurricane intensity, exacerbated by climate change, PACC 2030 was designed to enhance access to development financing, facilitate clean energy projects, and build national capacities to respond to climate-related threats. It represented a crucial framework for cooperation between Washington and the Caribbean, emphasising a shared commitment by one of the world’s two largest contributors to climate change to the region’s sustainable development.
Trump’s previous administration was characterised by a blatant disdain for climate science, international agreements and global cooperation. His return threatens to roll back the progress made under the Biden-Harris administration, jeopardising vital funding and support mechanisms that Caribbean countries rely on to combat climate change. The potential withdrawal from global climate commitments like the Paris Accord could leave Barbados and our neighbours even more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and less able to implement effective adaptation strategies with five years left on the clock to slash emissions to prevent an irreversible rise in global temperatures.
Without the imminent dissipation of initiatives like PACC 2030 as the Trump administration dismantles an edifice of intelligence, enlightenment and action, Caribbean nations will no doubt struggle to secure investments necessary for clean energy infrastructure and climate resilience projects. The vacuum of American leadership in global climate negotiations threatens to diminish the collective power of small island developing states to advocate for their needs on the world stage.
Elections have consequences. They should also inspire a proactive approach that leverages vulnerability to build resilience. Strengthening regional cooperation and integration is essential; by pooling resources and knowledge, we can enhance our collective capacity to address climate change. We will need fresh alliances with other industrialised nations large and small and diversifying partnerships beyond traditional allies like the United States to secure not only funding but technical support and knowledge and technology transfer from those other nations committed to climate action.
We must remain friends of all and satellites of none. The China that is reviled in Washington is the same China whose electric buses save our scarce foreign exchange and give our citizens a comfortable ride to work, school and play. We can maintain our independence by actively pursuing global interdependence. While Trump prepares to raise tariffs on electric vehicles, we should be taking advantage of their increasing affordability and availability.
Yet, this is no call for merely switching importers. We will need to rely more on our own resources to invest in Bajan innovation, no foreign donor need apply. Homegrown solutions and technologies such as the sargassum fuel project can reduce dependence on external fossil fuels while building resilience within our communities. While the government pursues a foreign policy agenda of debt swaps, it should simultaneously engage the private sector in climate resilience initiatives, unlocking new opportunities for investment and development.
So where will our vote go? We can either engage in collective handwringing, resign ourselves to the stoicism of the frog in a slowly boiling pot, or remain steadfast in our commitment to combating climate change. By adapting our strategies and reinforcing our resolve, we can continue to advocate for a sustainable future.
The consequences of this election are profound, but a sober and determined Barbados, OECS and CARICOM may yet emerge even stronger in our fight against the climate crisis.
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